Important Fact About Composite Fillings

Dental fillings were never aesthetic years ago. Dental fillings used to only be made from a material called amalgam (silver filling). Dentists use this for one and a half century that when people think about fillings, they think silver. Amalgam is known for its durability and restorative properties but never for beauty. But this is no longer the case today. Composite resin came into the picture of dental fillings and now offers you an option other than amalgam.

amalgam vs composite fillings

How composite resin differs from amalgam?

Composite resins or fillings also known as tooth-colored restorations are an ‘invisible’ dental filling as it is matched to the color of your teeth. This enables you to have your teeth restored without being noticeable. This was first used in the world of dentistry around 1960. The composite resin was fabricated from a mixture of plastic and filled with glass (silicon dioxide). At first, the composite resin was placed only to restore front teeth, because they were not strong enough to use for chewing.

However, over the years, composite resins were made more flexible and stronger, aside from its natural appearance. This is the reason why composite resins can now be used to restore cavities small to medium size, both in front and back teeth.

Uses of composite resins:

1- Tooth Decay

2- Chipped or broken teeth

3- Gaps between teeth

4- Replace old silver fillings containing mercury

There is more to these fillings than just amalgam replacement. They are good for sensitive teeth too. Now, your tooth structure can stay intact unlike with the amalgam fillings that can never hold the tooth as composite fillings can, because they are bonded to the tooth. Another great advantage of composite resin is that it can be fixed if they got chipped or damaged, unlike amalgam where it would have to be completely removed and replaced.

To make an appointment or to find out more about composite fillings, please call our office at 323-771-7254.

About admin

Dr. Ladan Zinati, a graduate of University of Southern California, USC in 1993 where she graduated on top of her class with honor and multiple awards. Dr. Zinati is a member of American Dental Association, California Dental Association, and Los Angeles dental Association. At age 12, Dr. Zinati knew she wanted to be a dentist and by age 17 she started working in a dental office as a dental assistant for 5 years while attending last year of high school and 4 years of university, before entering dental school.

Contact Us

Los Angeles and Cudahy Dentist at st James Dental Group are dedicated to cosmetic and family dentistry such as exams, periodontal cleanings, teeth whitening, porcelain veneers and crowns, cosmetic bonding/fillings and more. We welcome new patients from all over including Cudahy, Bell, Bell Gardens, South Gate, Downey, Maywood, Norwalk, Paramount, Los Angeles, and Long Beach. We look forward to make your visit to our dental office an exceptional experience.